Didier Drogba could make a second return to his beloved club Chelsea, but this time not in a playing capacity.
Drogba is one of the most popular figures in the club's history, with his goals and presence near-unparalleled. Having played for a season under Jose Mourinho in his second stint, Drogba moved to MLS pastures to sign for the Montreal Impact in the summer.
However, the Ivory Coast legend could make a return to Stamford Bridge sooner than expected, with Roman Abramovich keen to add Drogba to the coaching team, after Mourinho was sacked by the Chelsea owner on Thursday following a woeful start to the season.
Drogba received a phone call from Abramovich a little while after Mourinho was given his marching orders, with Abramovich looking at the possibility of adding Drogba to the coaching staff that will, most probably, be headed by Guus Hiddink.
The former Chelsea striker could also form a part of the coaching unit when the new manager takes over next summer, with Diego Simeone, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte all in the frame for the job.
Having a bona fide club legend in the staff when taking over at a new club is never a bad idea – Ryan Giggs under Louis Van Gaal being an example -- and Drogba also has the natural ability and presence to inspire players in the dressing room, a dressing room which is seriously low on confidence at the moment.
"He's happy to return to Chelsea," a source close to Drogba told Jeune Afrique. "The club is in his heart, even if he felt betrayed by Jose Mourinho, who had not met all the obligations promised to him when he returned to England during the 2014-2015 season."
If Drogba does return, it will act as a huge fillip to the squad, as Chelsea look to climb back up the table, with the team currently mired near the relegation places in 16th, having managed just 15 points all season.
